Measuring tape



W. F. DART MEASURING TAPE Dec. 29, 1953 Filed Sept. 18, 1952 INVENTOR.

a/f WQ fifa/'Wyk Patented Dec. 29, 1953 2,663,941 MEASURING- TAPE` William Dart Mason, Mich.,. assignor to Dart; Manufacturing Company, Mason, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Applicationv September 18, 1952, Serial No. 310,235

8 Claims.. (Cl. 35i- 138)v This invention relates to improvements in measuring tapes. y

The main objects of this invention, are:-

. First, to provide a measuring tap-e of theY spring winding reel type with a detachably mounted permanent magnet which can be quickly and easily applied' to the tape or removed ltherefrom and at the same time when applied is securely retained.

lug I3 having a convexedly curved facel I4 is-dis'- posedV centrally relative to the seats IB.

The side walls I I of the seats are spaced sothat they engage the` edges of the tape 3 when it is arranged upon the seats Ill. The lug i3 is of suchy depth as to engage the tape centrally between the seats with the tape under spring tension thrust supporting engagement with the seats.A

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated Second, to provide a measuring tape of this l the lug may be engaged With one of the rivets 'Iv character in which the permanent magnet may which constitutes a keeper. The spring tensionbe formed as an integral casting or molded inteof the tape holds the lug in engagement with the grally. keeper and in elect clamps the tape upon .the

Objects relating to details and economies of the seats. In Fig. 4 I have illustrated thel manipulainvention Will appear from the description to l5. tion of the tape and the magnet element in follow. The invention is dened and pointed out engaging the magnet with and disengaging it from ther claims. the tape. In this manipulation the tape is desir- A preferred embodiment of the invention is ably tWiSted Somewhat and slipped iIltO the IGCGSS illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in of the magnet element, which may be held in one which: hand, to the position shown in Fig. 4 with the Fig. l. is aV fragmentary plan View of a measuredge of the tape extending into one of the recess ing tape embodying my invention with. the tape extensions I2. The tape is then swung back Vtoy partially in extended position, its relation to an the DOSitOIl ShOWIl by fitted lines ill Fig- 4 and object to be measured being indicated by dotted the magnet element slipped alone longitudinally lines. of the tape to bring the lug I3 into engagement Fig; 2 is an enlarged transverse Section. on a with a rivet which constitutes a keeper. 1Ifnis line corresponding to. line 2 2 of Fig 1 i places the tape under further spring tension.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View There are many instances, for example, in onaiino Corresponding io 3 3 of Figl 1. measuring metal objects, as indicated at I5 in Fig 4 js a View of the magnet with. the tape Fig. 1, such as pipe or sheets or strips of metal Shown in Soo-tion in fuii iiiies indicating a Siep of which are of considerable length or dimensions manipulating it to the seated position shown by Where it is impossible for the user to hold thek dotted lines. outer end of the tape to the work and at the samer Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the tape on time extend the tape- With my invention the a line corresponding'to 5 5 of Fig. 1. hOOk Carl be engaged With the end or an edge of The embodiment of my invention illustrated the metal object t0 be measured and the magnet comprises the i-ooi housing i, the reel being com securely retains it. The operator can extend the venuonauy illustrated at z therein. The steel tape as much as desired, 0f Course, within the tape 3 is of curved cross section and is provided Capacity 0f the tape- There are many instances with scale indicia designated generally by the Where it is not necessary 01 desirable t0 have the numeral il on its concavedly curved face. The 40 magnet 0n the tape and it Gail be 1leidly remOVed terminal hook and linger piece 5v is provided with and replaced as may 0e desired.

a shank 6 which is lapped upon the tape and Ihave illustrated my invention inahighly pracsecured thereto by means of the tubular rivets 'I tical embodiment theleOf- I hal/e not attempted vvith the hook projecting on its convexedly curved to illustrate or describe other embodiments or s1de, l i 45 adaptations as it is believed this disclosure Will i The details of the reel and housing are not enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt illustrated herein as they form no part of my my invention as may be desired.

present invention. They may be that shown in Having thus described my invention, what I my Patent No. 2,599,320,1ssued June 3, 1952. claim as new and desire to Vsecure by Letters i The permanent magnet element 8 is block-like Patent is:

in shape and is provided with a recess 9 on its 1. The combination in atape measure including mner s1de shaped o define inwardly facing tape a tape reel and a housing therefor, of a iiexible supporting seats I with side walls Il and lateral metal tape of curved cross section provided with extensions I2 above the side Walls II. central 55 scale indicia on its concavedly curved face a terminal hook for said tape provided with a shank lapped upon the tape and secured thereto by a tubular rivet, and a detachable block-like permanent magnet having a downwardly facing recess on its underside, the side walls of the recess being stepped to denne inwardly facing tape seats with side walls and lateral recess extensions above the seat side walls, the distance between the side walls of the seats being approximately the Width of the tape, and a downwardly extending lug having a convexedly curved face disposed centrally relative to the seats to engage the tape when it is disposed upon the seats under spring tension, the said lateral extensions receiving an edge of the tape when the tape and magnet are tilted relative to each other to facilitate engagement of the magnet with the tape, said rivet constituting a keeper for said lug.

2. The combination in a tape measure including a tape reel and a housing therefor, of a iiexible metal tape, a terminal hook for said tape provided with a shank lapped upon the tape and secured thereto by a tubular rivet, and a detachable permanent magnet having a recess with stepped side walls dening inwardly facing tape seats with side walls and lateral recess eXtensions above the seat side walls, and a lug having a convexedly curved face disposed centrally relative to the seats to engage the tape when it is disposed upon the seats under spring tension, the said lateral extensions receiving an edge of the tape when the tape and magnet are tilted relative to each other to facilitate engagement of thc magnet with the tape, said rivet constituting a keeper for said lug.

3. The combination in a tape measure including a tape reel and a housing therefor, of a flexible resilient tape of curved cross section provided with scale indicia on its ooncavedly curved face, and a detachable permanent magnet having a recess on its inner side, the side walls of the recess being stepped to denne inwardly facing tape seats and a lateral recess extension above one oi' the seat side walls, a lug having a convexedly curved face disposed centrally relative to the seats to engage the tape when it is disposed upon the seats under spring tension, the said lateral recess eXtension receiving an edge of the tape when the tape and magnet are tilted relative to each other to facilitate engagement of the magnet with the tape.

4. The combination in a tape measure including a tape reel and a housing therefor, of a nexible resilient tape, and a detachable permanent magnet having a recess on its inner side, the side walls of the recess being stepped to dene inwardly facing tape seats and a lateral recess eX- tension above one of the seat side walls, a lug disposed centrally relative to the seats to engage the tape when it is disposed upon the seats under spring tension, the said lateral recess extension receiving an edge of the tape when the tape and magnet are tilted relative to each other to facilitate engagement of the magnet with the tape.

5. The combination in a tape measure including a tape reel and a housing therefor, of a iiexible resilient tape, a terminal hook for said tape provided with a shank lapped upon the tape and secured thereto by a tubular rivet, and a detachable permanent magnet having a recess dening spaced inwardly facing tape seats and a lug disposed to engage the tape intermediate the seats when it is disposed upon the seats under spring tension, said rivet constituting a keeper for said lug.

6. The combination of a flexible resilient measuring tape, a terminal hook for said tape provided with a shank lapped upon the tape and secured thereto by a rivet, and a permanent magnet element having a recess on its inner side, the Walls of the recess being stepped to denne inwardly facing tape seats with side walls spaced to correspond to the width of the tape, and a lug disposed centrally relative to the side walls of the seat to engage the adjacent side of the tape disposed upon the seats under spring tension with its edges in engagement with the side walls of the seats, the rivets constituting a keeper with which the lug is engaged when the magnet element is in adjusted position upon the tape.

'7. The combination of a flexible resilient measuring tape, and a permanent magnet element having a recess on its inner side, the walls of the recess being stepped to define inwardly facing tape seats with side walls spaced to correspond to the width of the tape, and a lug disposed centrally relative to the side walls of the seats to engage the adjacent side of the tape disposed upon the seats under spring tension with its tedge in engagement with the side walls of the sea s.

8. The combination of a exible resilient measuring tape, and a permanent magnet element having a recesson one side thereof defining inwardly facing tape seats spaced to supportingly engage opposite edge portions of the tape when it is disposed in the recess, and a lug disposed centrally relative to the seats and engaging the inner side of the tape between the seats with the tape in engagement with the seats under spring tension and thereby holding the magnet in its adjusted position on the tape.

WILLIAM F. DART.

References Cited in the le 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,530,323 Pratt Mar. 17, 1925 2,036,720 Ritter Apr. 7, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 514,254 Great Britain Nov. 3, 1939 

